Northeast Coast Of Brazil Research Articles

A big data approach to identify the loss of coastal cultural ecosystem services caused by the 2019 Brazilian oil spill disaster

In August 2019, the Northeast coast of Brazil was impacted by an extensive oil spill, with immediate effects on marine and coastal ecosystems and significant impacts on tourism and food security. The human dimension of those impacts also includes the loss of cultural ecosystem services (CES); the non-material benefits stemming from strongly rooted cultural practices and relationships with nature. CES are of great importance for local residents and visitors that flock to Brazilian iconic beaches, however, they are difficult to measure using traditional assessment methods due to their subjective and non-tangible nature. Here, we use a big data approach to assess and map the loss of CES in the Northeast coast of Brazil caused by the recent oil spill. We analysed 2,880 digital images (published on the image sharing platform Flickr) taken before and during the disaster in affected locations, using a combination of automated techniques. Results showed a sharp decline in the number of users posting photos of locations affected by oil spill, and a decline in photos representing landscape and cultural appreciation. Our big data approach provides a fast and automated way to assess CES at large spatial scales that can be used to monitor the social impacts of environmental disasters.

Environmental sensitivity analysis of environments affected by the oil spill on the Brazilian coast

The crude oil spill that occurred in 2019 at the Northeast Brazilian Coast is considered one of the most severe disasters recorded in tropical coastal regions. In order to contribute to the understanding of the impact generated by the disaster, this work linked oil sightings by the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) with the Coastal Sensitivity Index (CSI) of the Environmental Sensitivity to Oil Spills Maps (Carta SAO), generating an overview of the types of coastal environments affected by the oil. This crossing was carried out through the public vector bases in the Geographic Information System. The results show that intermediate beaches, mangroves and Salt Marshes, reefs and tidal flats recorded more than 50% of sightings with oil residues. At the end of this analysis, the environments that still had oil records were mangroves and Salt Marshes, and intermediate, dissipative and gravel beaches. The analysis allowed us to understand the main environments affected by the spill along the coast, also indicating the need to adopt mechanisms that integrate public data to assist in the structuring of oil combat mechanisms, with actions to combat oil arising from any spills on the Brazilian coast becoming more effective.

Environmental influences on the ichthyoplankton in hypersaline estuaries located in a Semiarid Northeastern Brazilian coast

ABSTRACT Hypersaline estuaries are commonly found in the Semiarid Northeast Brazilian coast. However, the utilization of these estuaries by early life stages of fishes is less well documented. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of environmental factors on the ichthyoplankton, and to describe their spatial and temporal variation in two estuaries (Tubarão and Casqueira). The sampling were diurnally in four excursions carried out during two dry-season months (November and December 2017) and two rainy-season months (May and July 2018). A total of 423 larvae representing 30 species (14 families) and 2,762 eggs (five families) were collected. Although the community structures were similar in both estuaries, there was strong seasonal variation, with higher abundances observed during the dry season. Low rainfall was the primary environmental driver affecting ichthyoplankton in both estuaries. Other environmental factors, such as depth, water temperature, and channel width, were also predictor variables for the distribution of eggs and larvae. The ichthyoplankton was dominated by marine estuarine-dependent species in both estuaries, accounting for 76% of individuals. The presence of the early life stages of typically marine species suggests that hypersaline environments provide important nursery areas and play an essential role for some coastal fish species.

Quo vadis, Brazil? Environmental Malgovernance under Bolsonaro and the Ambiguous Role of the Sustainable Development Goals

Brazil has continuously been in the international spotlight, first as an emerging economy improving social inclusion and sustainable development, then suddenly as a global pariah on environmental governance. Using two case studies – the rising deforestation of the Amazon and the 2019 oil spill on Brazil's Northeast coast – we examine the Bolsonaro administration in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to reveal a combination of misgovernance and malgovernance, where transgressions are intentional. The article develops these analytical concepts, explores how environmental malgovernance in Brazil may be addressed and discusses how Bolsonaro's malpractices are internationally challenged, but also condoned.

Sea turtle strandings along a semiarid coast in the western equatorial Atlantic

AbstractFor decades, the Brazilian north-east coast has been a recognized feeding area for five sea turtle species. However, it still lacks information about stranding patterns. A decade of a beach monitoring programme (from 2010–2019) provided information on the composition, abundance and spatio-temporal distribution of stranded sea turtle species along a semiarid coast in the western equatorial Atlantic. A total of 905 individuals of four species were recorded in a route of ~130 km. The most stranded group was the juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas), followed by Lepidochelys olivacea, Eretmochelys imbricata and Caretta caretta. The strandings present a seasonal and geographic pattern, and therefore any conservation measure to be implemented must consider these patterns. Also, the possible occurrence of fibropapillomatosis tumours calls for additional studies to understand its causes. Lastly, stranded sea turtles eventually show marks of fishery interaction, which indicate the need for environmental education programmes with fishing communities.

First record of Cnidocodon leopoldi Bouillon, 1978 (Cnidaria: Anthoathecata) in the Atlantic Ocean

Specimens of the hydromedusa Cnidocodon leopoldi Bouillon, 1978 were collected in waters off the northeast Brazilian coast between 7.4°S, 34.3°W and 8.7°S, 34.8°W. The genus can be distinguished from other anthomedusae by the presence of four marginal perradial bulbs having an adaxial nematocyst cushion and branched capitate tentacles, an umbrella with scattered nematocysts, and gonads around a cylindrical manubrium shorter than the umbrella. Specimens were assigned to C. leopoldi due the tentacles with 4-5 branches and the absence of ocelli on tentacle bulbs differing from the congeneric Cnidocodon ocellata Huang, Xu, Lin & Qiu, 2008. This study represents the first record of the species in the Atlantic Ocean.

Coastal Erosion And Tourism: The Case Of The Distribution Of Tourist Accommodations And Their Daily Rates

Beaches are key territories for tourist development but at risk of impacts of climate change—specifically with the consequent intensification of coastal erosion. This study examines the effects of coastal erosion on the distribution of lodging facilities and the value of daily rates practiced on the beaches of Tabuba and Cumbuco on the northeast coast of Brazil. The methodology comprises collecting information on the means of accommodation (distribution and daily rate), quantifying coastline variation and measuring the field to validate data. A total of 13.9 km of coastline were analyzed; erosion tendency was observed in 26.8% of the coast (9.0% erosion, 14.4% intense erosion, and 3.4% severe erosion). With the highest erosion rates, Tabuba's Beach has a low density in accommodation distribution and daily rates practiced in tourism. Cumbuco's Beach, conversely, has a lower risk of erosion, and the means of accommodation are concentrated. Coastal erosion has affected tourism development in Caucaia, influencing the choice of tourism accommodation entrepreneurs. the results indicate that there is a clear concentration of tourist accommodations in areas without notorious problems with coastal erosion, influencing in the distribution of tourist facilities and their daily rates. So, there is a direct connection does exist between local tourism system income and the beaches with problems with coastal erosion.

Spatial modeling of rainfall patterns and groundwater on the coast of northeastern Brazil

The objective of this study was to characterize the patterns of monthly rainfall in the mesoregions of Zona da Mata and Metropolitan of Recife in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, based on geostatistical techniques and multivariate analysis, in addition to establishing rain flow strategies in urban centers and alerting of possible impacts on local aquifers. The meteorological data are from a 20-year time series (2000–2019). Maps of the projection of aquifers, hydrochemical and hydrogeological for the study region were established. The pluviometric data were submitted to descriptive, geostatistical, and multivariate analysis. The Gaussian model was the one that best fitted (R2 ≥ 0.84). The Atlantic interhemispheric sea surface temperature gradient together with Easterly Wave Disturbances, Intertropical Convergence Zone, sea breezes circulations, and trade winds interfered in the dynamics of coastal rains, especially on the Northeast Brazilian coast. The hydrogeological formation of groundwater on the coast, of the porous type, justified the higher flows of groundwater associated with the greater rainfall. Kriging maps were consistent in the spatialization of rains on the coast of Pernambuco and, thus, making it possible to assess the dynamics of rains and the creation of socio-economic strategies, to minimize the impacts during the period of heavy rains and major floods.

Taxonomy of Geodia and Rhabdastrella from the Brazilian coast: a new species, new synonyms and redescription of Geodia tylastra (Demospongiae: Astrophorina: Geodiidae and Ancorinidae).

In this contribution we revise the type specimens of Geodia tylastra, Rhabdastrella fibrosa and Geodia corticostylifera, adding new photographs of preserved specimens, skeleton sections, and scanning electron micrographs of the spicules. We demonstrate that the three species are synonyms, with priority to the older name G. tylastra Boury-Esnault, 1973. We also show that Rhabdastrella fibrosa sensu Van Soest (2017) differs from the holotype in spicule composition and is here given a new name, Rhabdastrella vansoesti sp. nov. In addition, we describe a new species of Geodia, G. polytriaena sp. nov., and new records of G. glariosa and G. tylastra from Sergipe State, in the Northeast Brazilian coast. With the description of Geodia polytriaena sp. nov. and the synonymyzation of G. corticostylifera, 20 species of Geodia are now known in the Tropical Western Atlantic Ocean.

Socioeconomic vulnerability of communities on the Brazilian coast to the largest oil spill (2019–2020) in tropical oceans

This article aims to identify the socioeconomic vulnerability of establishments located on the Northeast coast of Brazil, affected by the most extensive oil spill (2019/2020) ever recorded in tropical oceans. To this end, we used secondary data to map locations soiled with oil and search for a concentration of commercial establishments and other institutions located close to these territories. From this information, we built a vulnerability indicator, with three segments: enterprises or institutions related or not to the Ocean Economy, their levels of proximity to oil stains, and persistence, in days, of pollution on the coast. In all, we mapped 53,472 establishments. As for the main research findings, mapping showed the two most vulnerable sectors - accommodation services and the food sector, which are essential for the functioning of the tourism production chain and the food security. Yet, the measurement of the vulnerability index disclosed a wide variation in the indices among states in the same region, related to coastal extension, ineffective strategic actions to fight stains, dependence on an economy strongly focused on the exploitation of coastal resources, or by social factors deficiencies.

Multiple reaction monitoring tool applied in the geochemical investigation of a mysterious oil spill in northeast Brazil.

In 2019, much of the northeastern coast of Brazil was impacted by a mysterious oil spill that caused an environmental disaster affecting 1009 beaches. Four samples were collected in the beaches between Sergipe and Pernambuco for geochemical characterization of the spilled oil and to compare with those main produced in Sergipe-Alagoas basin. Our approach in this evaluation was the use of a highly selective technique of sequential mass spectrometry by multiple reaction monitoring, to obtain the diagnostic ratios of hopanes and steranes biomarkers. Using these biomarkers ratios associated with multivariate statistical analysis, we found direct correlation between the spilled oil collected along the northeastern coast and no relationship between Sergipe-Alagoas basin crude oils was found. Furthermore, reported data for oils from Orinoco belt in Venezuelan basins were used for qualitative evaluation considering the indicative aspects suggested by the literature. Presence of highly specific biomarker 18α(H)-oleanane, and five other important diagnostic ratios evidenced correlation between the spilled oil and Naricual formation crude oils. Besides, due to the oleanane index, Ayacucho's crude oil presented the strongest factor of correlation with the spilled oil found on the northeast coast of Brazil.

Teissiera polypofera: first record of the genus Teissiera (Hydrozoa: Anthoathecata) in the Atlantic Ocean.

Specimens of Teissiera polypofera Xu, Huang & Chen, 1991 were found in waters off the northeast Brazilian coast between 8.858°S, 34.809°W and 9.005°S, 34.805°W and 56 to 717 m depth. The genus can be distinguished from other anthomedusae by the two opposite tentacles with cnidophores and four exumbrellar cnidocyst pouches with ocelli. Specimens were assigned to Teissiera polypofera due to the long and narrow manubrium transposing bell opening and polyp buds with medusoid buds on it, issuing from the base of manubrium. This study represents the first record of the genus in the Atlantic Ocean.

Salmonella enterica in Invasive Lizard from Fernando de Noronha Archipelago: Serotyping, Antimicrobial Resistance and Molecular Epidemiology.

Salmonella infection can pose serious health issues, especially to children, elders or immunosuppressed humans. Wild populations of reptiles can reach Salmonella prevalence of up to 100% and the direct or indirect transmission from reptiles to humans have been extensively reported. Fernando de Noronha (FN) is an inhabited oceanic archipelago in the northeast coast of Brazil, with an economy based on tourism. The tegu (Salvator merianae) is the largest lizard native to South America and was introduced to the archipelago in the early 20th century. This study determines the prevalence, serotypes, antimicrobial resistance, and molecular epidemiology of Salmonella enterica in the tegu population from FN archipelago. Results show that S. enterica is widely distributed in the FN tegu population, with 43.8% prevalence. The bacteria were isolated from 70.5% of the sampled sites and a total of 15 serotypes were detected in 98 S. enterica isolates. Strains were further classified into 31 genotypes. Recaptured animals presented distinct genotypes in each season, demonstrating a seasonal strain turnover. Most S. enterica isolates from FN tegus presented low antimicrobial resistance. This is possibly due to geographical isolation of the island population, hampering contact with strains from livestock from the continent, where antimicrobial resistance is common.

REGISTRO DE DEFORMIDADE MORFOLÓGICA OCASIONADA POR PARASITO EM Pachychelles greeleyi Hathbung, 1900

Among the most abundant organisms in marine regions are crustaceans. Arthropod group that presents high ecological and morphological diversification. Representatives of this group include the Porcellanidae family, made up of organisms known as porcelain crabs. Pachycheles greeleyi is a endemic anomura from the northeast coast of Brazil, belonging to the Porcellanidae family and found in various substrates such corals and sandstone reefs formed by polychaetes. P. greeleyi specimens were collected from a beach in the state of Rio Grande do Norte and evaluated when the deformities present in their carapaces due to the presence of the parasite Aporobopyrus curtatus.

The impacts of coastal dynamics on the Saco da Pedra shell midden in northeast Brazil

The shell mounds on Brazil's northeast coast have received little scholarly attention, compared to the southern coastline and lower Amazon, due to their lower density and visibility. This article summarizes existing research on shell middens in northeast Brazil and presents recent findings from the Saco da Pedra coastal shell midden site. The breaching of an offshore sand bar resulted in inundation of more than half the area of the midden and fortuitously exposed the remnants of a shell workshop. This is the first recognized shell workshop associated with a shell midden in Brazilian territory. A better understanding of coastal dynamics and their impact on the destruction or visibility of shell middens opens up the possibility of new explanations for differences in coastal site distributions in space and time. Moreover, the site's technologically simple ceramic ware relates Saco da Pedra to Macro-Jê populations, ancient Amazonian shell mounds, and Tupinambá peoples at the nearby site Cunhambebe.

Effects of environmental factors on the distribution of the exotic species Mytilopsis sallei (Récluz, 1849) (Bivalvia: Dreissenidae) on the Northeast coast of Brazil

The invasive bivalve Mytilopsis sallei caused several economic and ecological impacts in Asia. In Brazil, M. sallei was first reported in 2004, and thus far, little is known about its ecological impact on Brazilian estuaries. The present study aims to evaluate the abundance and distribution of M. sallei and to analyse the environmental factors that led to the establishment of this species in a Brazilian Northeast estuary. Sampling was carried out in six stations along the estuary, covering a broad spectrum of salinities. Results showed that M. sallei was the most abundant benthic species in this estuary, although it was not broadly distributed, occurring only in one station (S1), the most polluted and the one with the lowest salinities (mean 17.3 ± 11.56), which was the abiotic factor controlling the distribution of M. sallei. This station also had the lowest diversity of species (H′ = 0.3269). The main M. sallei microhabitat was the pneumatophores roots from mangrove trees and decomposing wood. Despite the high abundance of M. sallei in S1, this species experienced negative effect of other benthic species suggesting that its distribution was limited by the high abundance of native species in other stations. Our results suggest that the distribution of M. sallei is influenced by a set of characteristics: preference for low salinity, favourable substrate type, tolerance to pollutants, and less direct competitors. Understanding how invasive species are distributed and relate to native species will provide more robust strategies to help maintain environmental health that ultimately will prevent the expansion of M. sallei population.

Key Points about North and Northern Brazilian Restinga: a Review of Geomorphological Characterization, Phytophysiognomies Classification, and Studies’ Tendencies

Brazil has a pronounced complexity in coastal region, which affects the restingas’ diversity patterns. Therefore, we reviewed and systematized the knowledge about the attributes influencing the characterization and, eventually, the biases in the identification of restingas’ diversity patterns, mainly focusing in the Brazilian North and Northeast regions. Coastal geomorphology is one of the key attributes contributing to this complexity, acting as an environmental filter for the colonization of plant species. According to the standard classification, the Brazilian coast can be divided into five regions (North, Northeast, East, Southeast, and South). Another relevant attribute is phytophysiognomies, characterized by the collective characteristics of vegetation in a region, and for which exists six different classifications. The one proposed by Silva and Britez (2005) presents the best trade-off between specificity and generality by allowing both adequate local characterization and systematization for regional comparisons. Despite the length of the North and Northeast coast of Brazil, only 44 studies were conducted in these regions. The sampled areas were typically close to the state capitals, showing that logistical factors interfere with the selection of study areas. Besides, almost half of the studies omitted essential information such as the total area and sampling time, making it challenging to assess sample sufficiency and reproducibility. Another observed bias was a higher species richness in studies that partially or entirely used herbarium data. These gaps and biases on information constrain the ecological synthesis of restinga’ biodiversity patterns, mainly in larger spatial scales than those in which individual studies were conducted.

Environmental disaster in the northeast coast of Brazil: Forensic geochemistry in the identification of the source of the oily material

The characterization of petroleum or its products spilled in the environment in relation to its source rocks is an important tool to assist in the resolution of issues of environmental impact and legal responsibility since it clarifies the possible region or the producing country of that type of petroleum. This article analyzes the application of analytical techniques for petroleum geochemistry to identify the type and origin of oily material collected from beaches in Northeast Brazil in 2019. Samples of the oily material collected on the beaches in the states of Bahia and Sergipe were analyzed and for comparison purposes, samples of crude oils produced in Brazil, Middle East, Nigeria and Venezuela were also analyzed. The analytical results showed that the oily material that reached the beaches has geochemical characteristics compatible with those of the Venezuelan oil, indicating it was severely weathered or a product made with heavy oil produced.

Rainfall estimation methods in the Brazilian semiarid region: 30‐year evaluation on a monthly scale

AbstractStudies about evaluations of different rainfall estimation methods are important as they are usually applied in works related to water resources availability, public supply, watering, animal water supply, hydroelectric power generation, drought episodes' evaluation, among others. Studies that cover the entire area of the Brazilian semiarid within this scope are still scarce. In this context, the objective of this paper was to evaluate seven rain estimation methods, from different approaches, with the aid of statistical analysis. The focus was on the long term, using 30 years of data in monthly scale, in order to verify the methods performance in estimating the spatiotemporal behaviour of rainfall compared to data measured in situ, coming from rainfall and meteorological stations. The evaluation process was based on the random selection of training and testing stations, with the first being used to interpolate rainfall data using different methods, and the latter used to evaluate this estimates with the aid of statistical analysis. Finally, the results were standardized, interpreted and discussed. Of all the estimation methods evaluated, CHIRPS obtained the best performance when compared to field stations data used as test. From the results obtained, there is evidence that the best performance is due to the incorporation of several distinct data sources derived from in situ stations, geostationary satellite infrared sensor estimates and physiographic predictors. This information is not fully present in other evaluated methods. The worst estimation performances were in the eastern side of the Brazilian semiarid, an area that receives moisture from the Atlantic Ocean and has significant topographic variations, due to the set of the complex relief mountains present in the northeast coast of Brazil.

New records of the mollusk Firoloida desmarestia Lesueur, 1817 (Gastropoda: Pterotracheidae) off Fernando de Noronha Archipelago and Northeastern Brazilian continental slope, Tropical Atlantic

Biogeographic and taxonomic knowledge on planktonic mollusks, specifically on Pterotracheoidea (also known as heteropods or sea elephants) in tropical oceans, is still incomplete. In this paper we report the first record of the heteropod Firoloida desmarestia Lesueur (1817) on waters off the Northeast Brazilian continental slope and Fernando de Noronha Archipelago and extend its geographic distribution in the tropical Atlantic. We provide new detailed digital image and descriptions of this highly fragile and transparent gelatinous species. Samples were taken in the context of the ‘ABRACOS’ (Acoustic along the Brazilian Coast) project using bongo nets. Out of 96 samples analyzed, six specimens were recorded in five samples, three at Fernando de Noronha, and three off the Northeast Brazilian coast. The present study extends the range of distribution of F. desmarestia to 3°S-9°Sin the western the Tropical Atlantic and highlights the importance of detailed studies on large-sized gelatinous plankton biodiversity in tropical oceans. Keywords: Tropical oceanic islands, Continental slope, zooplankton, heteropods, Pterotracheidae.